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With the advancement of computer vision technology, vision-based target perception has emerged as a predominant approach for harvesting robots to identify and locate fruits. However, little attention has been paid to the fact that fruits may be obscured by stems or other objects. In order to improve the vision detection ability of fruit harvesting robot, a fruit target selection and location approach considering obstacle perception was proposed. To enrich the dataset for tomato harvesting, synthetic data were generated by rendering a 3D simulated model of the tomato greenhouse environment, and automatically producing corresponding pixel-level semantic segmentation labels. An attention-based spatial-relationship feature extraction module (SFM) with lower computational complexity was designed to enhance the ability of semantic segmentation network DeepLab v3+ in accurately segmenting linear-structured obstructions such as stems and wires. An adaptive K-means clustering method was developed to distinguish individual instances of fruits. Furthermore, a barrier-free fruit selection algorithm that integrates information of obstacles and fruit instances was proposed to identify the closest and largest non-occluded fruit as the optimal picking target. The improved semantic segmentation network exhibited enhanced performance, achieving an accuracy of 96.75%. Notably, the Intersection-over-Union (IoU) of wire and stem classes was improved by 5.0% and 2.3%, respectively. Our target selection method demonstrated accurate identification of obstacle types (96.15%) and effectively excluding fruits obstructed by strongly resistant objects (86.67%). Compared to the fruit detection method without visual obstacle avoidance (Yolo v5), our approach exhibited an 18.9% increase in selection precision and a 1.3% reduction in location error. The improved semantic segmentation algorithm significantly increased the segmentation accuracy of linear-structured obstacles, and the obstacle perception algorithm effectively avoided occluded fruits. The proposed method demonstrated an appreciable ability in precisely selecting and locating barrier-free fruits within non-structural environments, especially avoiding fruits obscured by stems or wires. This approach provides a more reliable and practical solution for fruit selection and localization for harvesting robots, while also being applicable to other fruits and vegetables such as sweet peppers and kiwis.

Remote sensing technology can be used to monitor changes in crop planting areas to guide agricultural production management and help achieve regional carbon neutrality. Agricultural UAV remote sensing technology is efficient, accurate, and flexible, which can quickly collect and transmit high-resolution data in real time to help precision agriculture management. It is widely used in crop monitoring, yield prediction, and irrigation management. However, the application of remote sensing technology faces challenges such as a high imbalance of land cover types, scarcity of labeled samples, and complex and changeable coverage types of long-term remote sensing images, which have brought great limitations to the monitoring of cultivated land cover changes. In order to solve the abovementioned problems, this paper proposed a multi-scale fusion network (MSFNet) model based on multi-scale input and feature fusion based on cultivated land time series images, and further combined MSFNet and Model Diagnostic Meta Learning (MAML) methods, using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the parameters of the neural network. The proposed method is applied to remote sensing of crops and tomatoes. The experimental results showed that the average accuracy, F1-score, and average IoU of the MSFNet model optimized by PSO + MAML (PSML) were 94.902%, 91.901%, and 90.557%, respectively. Compared with other schemes such as U-Net, PSPNet, and DeepLabv3+, this method has a better effect in solving the problem of complex ground objects and the scarcity of remote sensing image samples and provides technical support for the application of subsequent agricultural UAV remote sensing technology. The study found that the change in different crop planting areas was closely related to different climatic conditions and regional policies, which helps to guide the management of cultivated land use and provides technical support for the realization of regional carbon neutrality.

The deployment of intelligent surveillance systems to monitor tomato plant growth poses substantial challenges due to the dynamic nature of disease patterns and the complexity of environmental conditions such as background and lighting. In this study, an integrated cascade framework that synergizes detectors and trackers was introduced for the simultaneous identification of tomato leaf diseases and fruit counting. We applied an autonomous robot with smartphone camera to collect images for leaf disease and fruits in greenhouses. Further, we improved the deep learning network YOLO-TGI by incorporating Ghost and CBAM modules, which was trained and tested in conjunction with premier lightweight detection models like YOLOX and NanoDet in evaluating leaf health conditions. For the cascading with various base detectors, we integrated state-of-the-art trackers such as Byte-Track, Motpy, and FairMot to enable fruit counting in video streams. Experimental results indicated that the combination of YOLO-TGI and Byte-Track achieved the most robust performance. Particularly, YOLO-TGI-N emerged as the model with the least computational demands, registering the lowest FLOPs at 2.05 G and checkpoint weights at 3.7 M, while still maintaining a mAP of 0.72 for leaf disease detection. Regarding the fruit counting, the combination of YOLO-TGI-S and Byte-Track achieved the best R2 of 0.93 and the lowest RMSE of 9.17, boasting an inference speed that doubles that of the YOLOX series, and is 2.5 times faster than the NanoDet series. The developed network framework is a potential solution for researchers facilitating the deployment of similar surveillance models for a broad spectrum of fruit and vegetable crops.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely used as light sources for plant production in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs), and light spectrum and light amount have great impacts on plant growth and development. With the expansion of the product list of PFALs, tomato production in PFALs has received attention, but studies on fruit quality influenced by artificial light are lacking. In this study, precisely modulated LED light sources based on white light combined with additional red, blue, and green lights were used to investigate the effects of light spectrum and daily light integral (DLI) on the main quality indicators and flavor substances of “Micro-Tom” tomato fruits. The highest sugar–acid ratio was obtained under the white light with addition of red light with high DLI and blue light with low DLI. The contents of β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein were significantly increased by higher DLI conditions except for under the blue light treatment, and the cross-interactions between the light spectrum and DLI were observed. The accumulation of the main flavor substances in tomato fruits was decreased by addition of green light with a high DLI and red light with a low DLI; notably, the percentage of 2-isobutylthiazole, which is associated with fresh tomato aroma, was decreased by green light. This study provides insights for improving tomato fruit quality and flavor by regulating light conditions in PFALs.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and fatal clinical syndrome characterized by high blood pressure and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary arterioles, which is also a rapidly progressing disease of the lung vasculature with a poor prognosis. Although PAH medication made great advances in recent years, the efficacy and safety of the medication are unsatisfactory. Therefore, we aimed to update and expand previous studies to explore the efficacy and safety of PAH-targeted medications. Methods: Relevant articles were searched and selected from published or publicly available data in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, PsycInfo, and MEDLINE (from inception until October 1st, 2020). To assess the efficacy and safety of PAH therapies, five efficacy outcomes [6-minute walking distance (6MWD), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), WHO functional class (WHO FC) improvement, clinical worsening, death] and two safety outcomes [adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs)] were selected. And 6MWD was regarded as the primary efficacy outcome. Results: 50 trials included with 10 996participants were selected. In terms of efficacy, all targeted drugs were more effective than placebo. For 6MWD, Bosentan + Sildenafil, Sildenafil, Bosentan + Iloprost were better than others. Bosentan + Iloprost and Bosentan + Sildenafil were better for mPAP. Bosentan + Iloprost and Ambrisentan + Tadalafil were more effective in improving WHO FC. Bosentan + Tadalafil and Bosentan + Iloprost had the Ambrisentan probability to reduce the incidence of clinical worsening. It is demonstrated that Ambrisentan had clear benefits in reducing all-cause mortality. In terms of safety, no therapies had been shown to reduce the incidence of SAEs significantly, and Ambrisentan + Tadalafil significantly increased the incidence of AEs. Conclusions: Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) + Endothelin Receptor Antagonists (ERA) seems to be better therapy for PAH. Prostacyclin analogs (ProsA) + ERA appear promising, though additional data is warranted. Registration PROSPERO CRD42020218818.

Background: The incidence of excessive weight gain during pregnancy continues to increase. Our aim was to compare pregnancy outcomes at different trimesters and different classification criteria of gestational weight gain (GWG) and to examine whether GWG was correlated with adverse outcomes in the population of Southwest China. Methods: In the randomized controlled trial of Complex Lipids in Mothers and Babies (CLIMB) conducted in Chongqing, China, data from 1273 women was analyzed. We used two criteria to define GWG as insufficient, appropriate or excessive. The first was based on Chinese, Asian, European Body Mass Index (BMI) and US Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. The second was based on the quantiles of GWG of the subjects studied. Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, excessive GWG during gestational periods 12–33 weeks and 12 weeks to delivery was linked to the occurrence of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. The 12 weeks to delivery group was linked to the occurrence of macrosomia, and all periods studied (12–33 weeks, 12 weeks to delivery, and 33 weeks to delivery) were associated with an increased incidence of C-section. Insufficient GWG during 12–33 weeks was associated with the occurrence of small gestational age (SGA) infants. Conclusions: Our results support that inappropriate GWG during specific gestational periods was associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in southwestern China. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registration number ChiCTR-IOR-16007700.

The aim of this study was to reveal the molecular mechanism involved in multidrug resistance and virulence of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from broiler chickens. The virulence of six multidrug resistant C. jejuni was determined by in vitro and in vivo methods. The de novo whole genome sequencing technology and molecular biology methods were used to analyze the genomic features associated with the multidrug resistance and virulence of a selected isolate (C. jejuni 1655). The comparative genomic analyses revealed a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, deletions, rearrangements, and inversions in C. jejuni 1655 compared to reference C. jejuni genomes. The co-emergence of Thr-86-Ile mutation in gyrA gene, A2075G mutation in 23S rRNA gene, tetO, aphA and aadE genes and pTet plasmid in C. jejuni 1655 contributed its multidrug resistance to fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracycline and aminoglycosides. The combination of multiple virulence genes may work together to confer the relative higher virulence in C. jejuni 1655. The co-existence of mobile gene elements (e.g. pTet) and CRISPR-Cas system in C. jejuni 1655 may play an important role in the gene transfer and immune defense. The present study provides basic information of phenotypic and genomic features of C. jejuni 1655, a strain recently isolated from a chicken displaying multidrug resistance and relatively high level of virulence.

Background: Increasing global overweight and obesity rates not only increase the prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI), but also exacerbate ischemic injury and result in worsened prognosis. Currently, there are no drugs that can reverse myocardial damage once MI has occurred, therefore discovering drugs that can potentially limit the extent of ischemic damage to the myocardium is critical. Resveratrol is a polyphenol known for its antioxidant properties, however whether prolonged daily intake of resveratrol during obesity can protect against MI-induced damage remains unexplored. Methods: We established murine models of obesity via high-fat/high-fructose diet, along with daily administrations of resveratrol or vehicle, then performed surgical MI to examine the effects and mechanisms of resveratrol in protecting against myocardial ischemic injury. Results: Daily administration of resveratrol in obese mice robustly protected against myocardial ischemic injury and improved post-MI cardiac function. Resveratrol strongly inhibited oxidative and DNA damage via activating SIRT3/FOXO3a-dependent antioxidant enzymes following MI, which were completely prevented upon administration of 3-TYP, a selective SIRT3 inhibitor. Hence, the cardioprotective effects of prolonged resveratrol intake in protecting obese mice against myocardial ischemic injury was due to reestablishment of intracellular redox homeostasis through activation of SIRT3/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our findings provide important new evidence that supports the daily intake of resveratrol, especially in those overweight or obese, which can robustly decrease the extent of ischemic damage following MI. Our study therefore provides new mechanistic insight and suggests the therapeutic potential of resveratrol as an invaluable drug in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases.

Abstract Background Adults with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can have multiple metabolic abnormalities. However, studies in the adolescent population are still limited and these results seem to vary widely. This study was to investigate the metabolic abnormalities in adolescents with PCOS in South China and the potential risk factors contributed to these health risks. Methods Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were evaluated in 128 adolescents with PCOS and their age- and BMI-matched controls. Results The prevalence of pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in adolescents with PCOS was 11.7%, 46.9%, 29.7%, 22.7% and 4.7%, respectively. 16.3%, 74.4%, 67.4%, 39.5% and 14% of the PCOS subjects with BMI > 85th had pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, whereas 9.4%, 32.9%, 10.6%, 14.1% and 0% of the PCOS subjects with BMI < 85th had such disturbances. Conclusions Adolescents with PCOS in South China had more metabolic abnormalities than their age- and BMI-matched non-PCOS counterparts. Obesity could worsen insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and metabolic syndrome in PCOS adolescents.

Background: Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a hallmark of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including chronic heart failure (HF) and an important target for the treatment of these diseases. Aberrant activation of Angiotensin II (Ang II)/AT1R signaling pathway is one of the main triggers of cardiac hypertrophy, which further gives rise to excessive inflammation that is mediated by the key transcription factor NF-κB. Resveratrol (REV) is a natural polyphenol with multiple anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, however the ability of REV in preventing Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in combination with NF-κB signaling activation remains unclear. Methods: Murine models of cardiac hypertrophy was conducted via implantation of Ang II osmotic pumps. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocyte and heart tissues were examined to determine the effect and underlying mechanism of REV in preventing Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Results: Administrations of REV significantly prevented Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, as well as robustly attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, REV not only directly prevented Ang II/AT1R signal transductions, but also prevented Ang II-induced expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our study provides important new mechanistic insight into the cardioprotective effects of REV in preventing Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting adverse NF-κB signaling activation. Our findings further suggest the therapeutic potential of REV as a promising drug for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of deaths worldwide, triggering widespread and irreversible damage to the heart. Currently, there are no drugs that can reverse ischemic damage to the myocardium and hence, finding novel therapeutic agents that can limit the extent of myocardial damage following MI is crucial. Liensinine (LSN) is a naturally derived bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid that is known to exhibit numerous antioxidative and cardiovascular beneficial effects. However, the role of LSN in MI-induced injury and its underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Purpose: Our study aims to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of LSN following MI and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: We constructed murine models of MI in order to examine the potential cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of LSN in protecting against myocardial ischemic damage both in vivo and in vitro. Results: Administration with LSN strongly protected against cardiac injuries following MI by decreasing the extent of ischemic damage and improving cardiac function. Additionally, LSN was found to be a potent inhibitor of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Hence, the beneficial effects of LSN in preventing oxidative and DNA damage following ischemia was due to its ability to inhibit aberrant activation of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling. Conclusions: Our findings reveal for the first time a novel cardioprotective role of LSN during myocardial infarction and most notably, its ability to protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress-induced damage via inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our study therefore suggests new therapeutic potential of LSN or plants that contain the natural alkaloid LSN in ischemic heart diseases.

Background: Cancer cachexia is a common but severe condition that causes muscle wasting, body weight loss, and progressive functional impairment, affecting over 50% of cancer patients. Currently, there are no effective treatments that can alleviate cachexia, and hence the discovery of new therapeutics that can effectively prevent or even reverse cancer cachexia is crucial. Babao Dan (BBD) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that has been used clinically in combating various cancers, however, its therapeutic potential in alleviating cancer cachexia remains unexplored. Our current study aims to determine the anti-cachectic effects of BBD treatment in alleviating cancer cachexia, as well as determining the underlying mechanisms involved. Methods: Mouse models of cancer cachexia were induced via implantation of CT26 colon adenocarcinoma cells, and the anti-cachectic effects and mechanisms of BBD were determined via examinations of body weight and muscle mass, as well as serum and muscle markers of cachexia and muscle atrophy. Results: CT26 tumor implantation reduced in the rapid occurrence of cancer cachexia characterized by marked reductions in body weight and muscle mass, functional decrease in muscle function and accelerated deaths. BBD administration not only demonstrated robust anti-cachectic ability via preventing decreases in body weight, muscle mass, and muscle atrophy, but also markedly prolonged survival. The effects of BBD in alleviating cancer cachexia and its associated adverse effects were due to its ability in preventing the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling post-CT26 tumor implantation. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated the robust ability of BBD in preventing cancer cachexia and alleviating the main cachexia-induced symptoms as well as prolonging survival via inhibiting activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Therefore, our study demonstrating the strong anti-cachectic effects of BBD in mice may provide a theoretical basis for the use of BBD as a safe and effective drug in the treatment of cancer cachexia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a three-stage intervention to reduce caesarean deliveries in a Chinese tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to assess whether educating staff, educating patients and auditing surgeon practices (introduced in 2005) had reduced caesarean delivery rates. Multiple logistic regression was used to check for a potential association between caesarean rates and rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). FINDINGS: The caesarean delivery rate ranged from 53.5% to 56.1% in 2001-2004 and from 43.9% to 36.1% in 2005-2011. When 2001-2004 and 2005-2011 were treated as "before" and "after" periods to evaluate the intervention's impact on the mean caesarean section rate, a significant reduction was noted: from 54.8% to 40.3% (odds ratio, OR: 0.56; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.52-0.59; χ2 test: P < 0.001). The overall drop in the caesarean section rate was significant (χ2 test: P < 0.001) and inversely correlated with the years (Spearman's ρ: -0.096; P < 0.001). Although complicated pregnancies increased after 2004, the primary caesarean section rate decreased annually by 20% on average in 2005-2011, after practice audits were implemented. Multiple logistic regression showed a positive association between the caesarean delivery rate and the rate of admission to the NICU (adjusted OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.14-1.40). CONCLUSION: Patient and staff education and practice audits reduced the Caesarean section rate in a tertiary referral hospital without an increase in admissions to the NICU.

Obesity rates have rapidly increased worldwide and obesity-related diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases have become leading factors for global morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no effective treatments that can prevent or reverse obesity long-term, and hence the prevention of obesity-related adverse effects such as hypertension is critical. Qingda granule (QDG) is a condensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that has been used clinically for treating hypertension, however, its effectiveness in obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction remains explored. Mouse models of obesity via long-term feeding of high-fat high-fructose diet (HFFD) were established to examine the effect and mechanism of QDG in protecting against obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction. C57BL/6 mice were fed with either normal diet or HFFD over a period of 16 weeks and administered with either saline or QDG for assessment of obesity-induced blood pressure and cardiac function. QDG administration demonstrated robust anti-hypertensive effects and significantly attenuated HFFD-induced elevations in blood pressures. Moreover, QDG treatment also demonstrated robust cardioprotective effects during obesity-induced hypertension by markedly improving cardiac function and preventing cardiac hypertrophy. QDG protected against obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction was due to its ability to prevent adverse chronic activation of Akt signaling pathway during long-term feeding of HFFD. Long-term usage of QDG treatments exhibited no observable side effects and also completely prevented obesity-induced organ damage, demonstrating the feasibility and safety of prolonged use. Our findings thus elucidated the role of QDG in preventing obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting adverse activation of Akt signaling activation. Therefore, our study provides the theoretical basis for the utilization of QDG as both a safe and effective drug in the therapeutic treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity-induced hypertension.

Context Huoxin pill (HXP) is a commonly used TCM prescription for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its mechanism in protecting against myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown. Objective We performed a network pharmacology analysis to explore the bioactive ingredients, therapeutic effects, and mechanisms of HXP in protecting against MI. Materials and methods HPLC was used to identify major bioactive compounds, and overlap with MI target genes were visualised. 10-Week old C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned as: Sham-operated control, MI + Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and MI + HXP (3 mg/mL and 9 mg/mL) treatment groups, received oral gavage administration once every two-days starting from 1-week prior to MI, and subsequently MI models were established for one-week before sacrifice. Results AKT1, VEGFA, TNF and RELA were identified as core target proteins among eighty-five candidate bioactive compounds identified in HXP with overlapping MI-related genes. HXP protection against MI was mainly via regulation of inflammatory pathways, notably TNF signalling pathway. Mouse models of MI and cardiac myoblasts demonstrated that HXP improved MI-induced injury via improving regulation of inflammatory response. Discussion and conclusion Stellasterol, deoxycholic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin are important active compounds contained in HXP with anti-inflammatory properties in the therapeutic treatment of MI. Due to the straightforward nature and effectiveness of taking oral HXP medications, our findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of HXP in treating patients with angina or myocardial ischaemia. Future research into the combination of surgical procedures or medications that restore blood flow together with HXP as supportive medication would be worthwhile.

Abstract Background LRP5/6 are co-receptors in Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Recently, we discovered multiple β-catenin independent functions of LRP5/6 in tumor cells and in the diseased heart. Nucleoporin 37 (NUP37) is an important component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), whose elevated expression is associated with worsened prognosis in liver cancer. Previous studies have shown that NUP37 interacted with YAP and activated YAP/TEAD signaling in liver cancer. Our preliminary findings showed a nuclear location of LRP5. We thus tested the hypothesis that LRP5 may act as a genuine regulator of YAP/TEAD signaling via modulating NUP37 in a β-catenin-independent way. Methods We performed siRNA knockdown of LRP5, LRP6, or β-catenin in liver cancer HepG2 cells to determine the effect on tumor cell proliferation. Protein expressions and interaction between LRP5 and NUP37 were determined using immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses. Results HepG2 cell proliferation was markedly inhibited by knockdown of LRP5 but not LRP6 or β-catenin, suggesting that LRP5 has a specific, β-catenin-independent role in inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation. Knockdown of NUP37 by siRNA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, whereas overexpression of NUP37 reversed the decrease in cell proliferation induced by LRP5 knockdown. Immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that LRP5 bound to NUP37. Furthermore, LRP5 overexpression restored NUP37 knockdown-induced downregulation of YAP/TEAD pathway. Conclusions LRP5 deletion attenuates cell proliferation via destabilization of NUP37, in a β-catenin-independent manner. LRP5 therefore acts as a genuine regulator of YAP/TEAD signaling via maintaining the integrity of the NPC, and implicates a therapeutic strategy in targeting LRP5 for inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation.

Background: Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) has been considered as a potential alternative material for endosseous dental implants, for its low elastic modulus, biocompatibility, and low cost in customized device manufacture. Hydroxyapatite-incorporation is supposed to improve the poor osseointegration of PEEK. Methods: In the present study we analyzed the in vivo response of hydroxyapatite-incorporated PEEK (PEEK-HA) implants in canine tibia. PEEK-HA and PEEK implants were implanted and were examined 4 weeks and 12 weeks after implantation with radiology and histology. Commercial titanium dental implants served as controls. Results: The ratio of bone volume to tissue volume of PEEK-HA implants was higher than that of PEEK implants 4 weeks after implantation in the μ-CT analysis. The bone implant contact of PEEK and PEEK-HA implants showed no statistical difference in the histological examination, but newly-formed bone around PEEK-HA implants showed more signs of mineralization than that around PEEK implants. Conclusion: The study suggested that bone formation was improved with hydroxyapatite-incorporation in PEEK. Hydroxyapatite-incorporated PEEK implants may represent a potential material for endosseous dental implant.

Phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases), which play an essential role in both primary and secondary metabolism, are magnesium binding enzymes. In this study, we characterized the magnesium binding residues of all known group II PPTases by biochemical and evolutionary analysis. Our results suggested that group II PPTases could be classified into two subgroups, two-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTases containing the triad Asp-Xxx-Glu and three-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTases containing the triad Asp-Glu-Glu. Mutations of two three-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTases and one two-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTase indicate that the first and the third residues in the triads are essential to activities; the second residues in the triads are non-essential. Although variations of the second residues in the triad Asp-Xxx-Glu exist throughout the whole phylogenetic tree, the second residues are conserved in animals, plants, algae, and most prokaryotes, respectively. Evolutionary analysis suggests that: the animal group II PPTases may originate from one common ancestor; the plant two-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTases may originate from one common ancestor; the plant three-magnesium-binding-residue-PPTases may derive from horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes.